PARENT HANDBOOK SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022 - DURKIN PARK ELEMENTARY
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PARENT HANDBOOK
2021-2022
SCHOOL YEAR
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can
change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai
DURKIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8445 S. KOLIN AVENUE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60652
773-535-2322
773-535-2299 (fax)
www.durkinpark.com
Charles E. Beavers II, Principal
Daisy Hernández, Assistant Principal
DURKIN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MISSION STATEMENT
We here at Durkin Park Elementary believe in providing each child with
the opportunity to excel in academics and in life. We also believe that
literacy is the key to that success. It is in that light that we are setting up
a system that will give every child the utmost opportunity to excel in
literacy.
We believe that we are partners in the education of our children and we
welcome you into our school. We are devoted to creating a safe and
secure learning environment in which we all work together with mutual
respect and consideration.
2SCHOOL BOUNDARIES
North: 83rd Street (Odd numbers)
South: 87th Street (City Limits)
East: Pulaski Road (Even numbers)
West: Cicero Avenue (City Limits)
3STAFF ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
2021-2022
Teacher Grade Room
Stephanie Pineiros Pre-K 147
Elizabeth Williams Pre-K 149
Stacy Ann Sileo Pre-K 150
Jennifer Fleming Pre-K 151
Marlee Hillock Pre-K 152
Brigid Jacobsen Pre-K 153
Elisa Carlin Kg. 135
Christina Healy Kg. 137
Teresa Fitzgibbon Kg/1st 142
Maura Ryan 1st 132
Karina Sotelo 1st 133
Bonnie Wilkinson 2nd 003
Molly Cranley 2nd 004
Kathleen Murphy 3rd 131
Sheila Garvey 3rd 126
Silvia Tejeda 3rd 130
Elizabeth Allen 4th 125
Sandra Cruz 4th 127
Katherine Ramsden 4th 124
Guillermo Tejeda 5th 102
4Luz Santellano 5th 104
Laura Sauerwein 5th 106
Therese Brendich 6th 118
Jillian Ryan 6th 120
Cara West 6th 123
Deborah Birmingham 7th 110
Diane Esquibel 7th 114
Mary Sauerwein 7th 115
Katherine Dugger 8th 112
Luis Rodriguez 8th 113
Helena Branch 8th 117
Gina Adamik PreK SPED 152
Bret Weissenhofer PreK SPED 151
Katie Moody PreK SPED 153
Margaret Myren Primary SPED 139
Katherine Matias Intermediate SPED 103
Patrick McGrath Intermediate SPED 103
Eugene Oberst Intermediate SPED 103
Kathryn Clam Upper SPED 105
Alyssa Zdano Smith Upper SPED 105
Roshad Tonth PE 149
Craig Gonciarczyk Tech Coordinator 108
Laura Kelly Art
Feryal Al-Zubi Arabic
Mary Kay Neilson Reading/Librarian 140
Shauntrice Ragland Music 134
Qutester Mapp LPN- Nurse
5Kathy.Tonner CSN- Nurse
Elizabeth Weiss Social Worker
Paul Tobolski Psychologist
Carolyn Ferguson Speech
Kenyatta Cochran OT
Katherine Hernández PT
Anabel Escobar SECA- Upper
Denise Escobar SECA- Upper
Kristine Gorman SECA-Upper
TBD SECA- Intermediate
Maria Rojas SECA- Primary
Corina Hanson SECA- Primary
Monique Miner SECA- PK
Barbara Robinson SECA- PK
Miriam Trevino Teacher Assistant- PK
Jocelyn Rey Reyes Teacher Assistant- PK
Cristina Diaz Teacher Assistant- PK
Alexandra Rodriguez Teacher Assistant- PK
Nora Balcazar Teacher Assistant- PK
Cathy Corley Teacher Assistant- PK
Jose Martinez Teacher Assistant- Upper
Kerry Whirity Teacher Assistant- Primary
Amy Almodovar Security
Daniel Lopez Security- CPD
Arturo Partida Security CPD
Shanetha Riley Lunchroom Manager
Curtis Deer Custodian
6Mike Lettiere Engineer
Erin O’Neill Pre-K Head Teacher
Colleen Reynolds Case Manager/Counselor
Tómas Reyes ELPT
Charles E. Beavers II Principal 100A
Daisy Hernández Assistant Principal 109
Gabriela Calderon Office Manager 100
Maria Escobar Clerk Assistant 100
7OUT OF UNIFORM DAYS 2021-2022
(FRIYAY) 1st Friday of every month
Spirit Week Dec 13th-17th, April 4th-7th, June 6th-10th
DURKIN PARK ELEMENTARY
TENTATIVE SCHOOL 2021-2022 YEAR CALENDAR
August
26th LSC Meeting 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Open House 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
30th First Day of School
September
6th Labor Day - School Closed
October
1st First QTR progress reports sent home
11th Indigenous Peoples’ Day – School Closed
21st LSC Meeting 3:15 PM
November
4th End of 1st QTR
5th School Improvement Day – No classes for students
811th Veterans Day – School Closed
17th Parent Teacher Conferences- No classes for students
24th – 26th Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed
December
16th LSC Meeting 3:15 PM
17th Second QTR progress report sent home
20th-31 Winter Break- School Closed
January
3rd Classes Resume –
17th Dr. Martin Luther King Day – School Closed
27th End of 2nd QTR
28th School Improvement Day – No classes for students
February
17th LSC Meeting 3:15pm
18th Second QTR report card sent home
21st Presidents’ Day – School Closed
March
4th Third QTR progress reports sent home
9April
7th End of Third QTR
8th School Improvement Day- No classes for students
11th-15th Spring Break - No classes for students
18th Classes Resume
20th Parent Teacher Conferences- No classes for students
21st LSC Meeting 3:15pm
May
13th Progress Reports sent home
30th Memorial Day –School Closed
June
14th End of Fourth QTR- Last day of school
10ATTENDANCE
It is important that students be regular and punctual in attendance. Children who are not
in school miss out on important instructional lessons. Our school will provide students
with a quality education but students have to be in school in order to receive that
education.
Please notify the school in the morning, if your children will not be in school. When it is
necessary for your child to be excused from school for medical or dental appointments,
funerals or a family emergency, please send a note to the teacher. Homework can be
picked up in the office at the end of the school day or sent home with another child, if
requested.
For the safety of our children, we ask that you come to the office to meet your child for
an early dismissal. A parent is requested to sign the early dismissal form. No one will be
permitted to leave the building without his/her parent or some other authorized adult. In
the latter case, please call the office to inform us who is picking up your child.
AMENDING HANDBOOK
Statements in this handbook are subject to amendment with or without notice. The
school will attempt to keep you informed of all changes as soon as possible. Some
changes may be made immediately due to unforeseen circumstances.
BICYCLES
Students entering or leaving school property must be completely off their bicycle and
walk it to the bike racks where all bicycles must be parked. All bicycles should be
secured with locks. The school is not responsible for damage to or theft of bicycles.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones must be turned off and stored during school hours, 7:45 am-2:45 pm. If a
student is caught with a phone; it will be confiscated, placed in the main office until a
parent or guardian picks it upduring school hours. Durkin Park staff are not
responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.
11CHILD ABUSE
Under Illinois law, school personnel are required to inform the Department of Children
and Family Services of any allegation/suspicion of child abuse/neglect. Neglect may
include failure to provide necessary food, shelter or medical care. Persons from this
department must follow up the call by visiting the child’s home. At times they will ask
and will be given permission to speak with the child at school. Anyone may report
suspected abuse or neglect. If you know of such a problem, you may call the 24 hour
DCFS Hotline at 1-800-252-2873.
CHILD CUSTODY/STUDENT RECORDS
PARENT: A parent is either the natural parent of a child, a court appointed guardian, a
foster parent of a child, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a natural
parent. Because Durkin Park School assumes responsibility for children in the school, it
is important that we be notified of any court-sanctioned arrangements regarding custody
of and access to children whose parents are divorced and/or separated. Durkin Park
School follows the provisions of the FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY
ACT (FERPA) and permits parents to inspect and review their child’s school records. In
order to review your child’s permanent education records, parents are asked to submit a
written request to the principal. In the case of non-custodial parents, the school will
provide such parents with access to the school records and other information pertaining to
the child, including, medical, dental, and other school records, unless the school is
provided with a court order prohibiting that parent from inspecting or obtaining such
records. If there is a court order specifying that there is to be no information given, it is
the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the school with an official copy of the
court order.
CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Parental requests for a specific classroom assignment for their child/children cannot be
honored. Classroom assignments are governed by the number of students in a particular
grade.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum includes Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social
Studies, Computer Science, Library, Art, Arabic, Music and Physical Education.
12DISCIPLINE
Student’s behavior will conform to acceptable standards of conduct as established by the
principal and the teachers to ensure the school environment is safe for all students. The
staff requests parental support in helping maintain appropriate conduct in the school.
Students that fail to abide by the school’s discipline policy and engage in disruptive
actions will be subject to disciplinary actions. Consequences will include but not be
limited to student/teacher conference, parent/teacher conference, detention and
suspension. The school follows and will enforce completely the Chicago Public Schools
Student Code of Conduct.
To develop cohesiveness for all students, increase efficiency and continue to build a safe
school environment, the following five rules shall be in effect for all students in all grades
at Durkin Park Elementary School:
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself at all times.
3. Always wait for permission before speaking and leaving your seat.
4. ALWAYS LEAVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, food*, gum and candy AT
HOME. (*Students are allowed to bring a lunch for personal consumption.)
5. Show Respect to Others at ALL TIMES.
6. Masks must be worn at ALL times.
Each individual teacher may also deem it necessary to apply additional rules and
procedures as needed in their classroom, hallway, assemblies, etc. During the first week
of school, your teacher will send home a worksheet illustrating her/his classroom
expectations.
REASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
A reassignment is designed to remove a student from an environment that is not
productive to the individual or to the class as a whole.
It is designed, in conjunction with our assertive discipline plan and the Student Code of
Conduct, to send a clear message to the student that his/her behavior is unacceptable. In
fact, the behavior in question is so out of compliance with classroom expectations that
physical removal from the environment is necessary.
A student should complete their assignment in the alternative environment. This new
room is free of the distractions and stimuli that led to the student’s negative behavior. A
student that is still not following classroom rules is desperately in need of an
intervention by the office, counselor, security or all of the above.
13EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
Properly supervised and planned educational field trips are an important part of the
instructional program. The aim of the educational field trip is to have it correlate with
class work. A signed permission form from a parent or guardian is required for all field
trips. Participation in a field trip is a privilege, not a right. The school reserves the right
to deny a student participation in a field trip for failure to meet academic and/or
behavioral requirements.
ELECTRONICS
Non medical electronic devices will not be allowed in school. The school is not
responsible for lost or stolen items of any type.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
It is necessary for the parent to fill out all pertinent information on the emergency form. If
any of your children have allergies, are asthmatic or have any health problems, please
notify the teacher. Verify the information with your signature and return the form the first
week of school.
If your telephone number at home or at work changes during the course of the school
year, be sure to notify the school office.
ENTRANCE AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
The school opens at 7:30 AM each day. Instruction begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 2:45
PM, please have your child at school no later than 7:45 AM. Children should not arrive
earlier than 7:30 AM or remain on the school grounds later than 2:55 PM unless they
are participating in a supervised activity. Supervision will not be provided for students
who arrive before 7:30 AM or remain later than 2:55 PM. The above procedures are
designed for the safety and well being of your children.
The students in Grades K-1 and 5th Grade will enter and dismiss through doorway 1.
Students in Grades 3-4 will enter and dismiss through doorway 6. Students in Grades 6-8
will enter and dismiss through doorway 4. Students in Grade 2 will enter and dismiss
through the south modular doors. Pre-K entry and dismissal procedures will be provided
by the teacher on the first day of school.
Please note the following safety guidelines for all children:
14● Do not park on Kolin Avenue in front of school.
● Please park on 85th Street or on 84th Street when dropping off or picking up your
child(ren).
● Please insist that your child(ren) cross at the corner with the patrol guards and then
come to your car.
● Double parking is very hazardous.
● Please use extra caution on rainy and snowy days.
● Do not use the staff parking lot.
At all times the students must obey the patrol people. At no time/under any
circumstances are students to cross the street in the middle of the block. They must
cross at designated crossing areas.
School hours are 7:45am to 2:45pm. With the new Full School Day, staff does not report
until 7:45am. For your child’s safety we advise that students should not arrive at school
before that time because there will be no one in the building to supervise students. Also,
due to the change in school hours we will be following the Chicago Public School policy
on stranded students as outlined below.
STUDENTS WHO ARE STRANDED AT SCHOOL
If, after school, a parent/guardian or person on the student’s emergency contact form does
not pick up a student who cannot travel home independently, the following steps should
be taken:
1. The Principal or the Principal’s designee, who must be a member of the
professional educational staff of the school building, will remain with the student
until the student is picked up by a parent, guardian, or emergency contact OR
until a police officer or Department of Family Services Division of Child
Protection Investigator (CPI) takes protective custody of the student.
2. School staff shall call the parent or guardian who usually picks up the student. If
that person cannot be reached, staff should leave a voice message, if possible,
stating, “If the parent, guardian, or emergency contact does not come to the school
to pick up the child by 4:30pm, the school will be obligated to call the Chicago
Police Department and the Department of Child and Family Services Hotline to
report child neglect.” Staff should leave the voice message with all emergency
contacts.
3. If by 4:30 pm the parent, guardian, or emergency contact has not been reached
and/or no one has come to pick up the student, school staff shall call: a. DCFS
Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (252-2873) to report child neglect and b. CPS Student
Safety Center at 773-553-3335 to explain that a student is stranded and to provide
the student’s emergency information.
4. The CPS Student Safety Center shall:
a. Continue to attempt to locate the parent, guardian, or emergency contact; b.
15Arrange for the Chicago department of Family and Support Service to provide
transportation if the parent, guardian or emergency contact requires assistance to
get to school.
c. As a last resort, call 911 to ask the police to come to the school to take
protective custody of the student;
d. If the police decline to come to the school, advise the Principal or his/her
designee that they may transport the student to the local police station, and ask
to speak to the Desk Sergeant.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activities are offered to enrich the educational experience of our students.
School-sponsored activities are supervised by faculty, staff, and parents. Students are
expected to follow the rules and use appropriate behavior at all times.
Students who engage in misconduct or hurtful behavior, use inappropriate language, or
treat others disrespectfully during school hours or during the course of an extracurricular
activity may be suspended from participation in that activity. In some instances, a
student’s misconduct may warrant removal from the activity/team for the remainder of
the year. Disciplinary measures are at the discretion of the principal.
In an effort to help students maintain a balance between extra-curricular involvement and
their primary work, which is their academic program, we have established the following
policy:
● A student will be removed from their extra-curricular activity if he/she receives an
“F”. The grades will be monitored and once the students bring up the grade he/she
will be allowed to resume participating in the activity.
● A student will be suspended or removed from their extra-curricular activity for
serious and continuous misconduct.
No student may participate in an extracurricular activity the day of absence from school.
HOMEWORK
Homework is a necessary component in the sequence of a child’s education and is
assigned to provide reinforcement, practice application, and enrich what is learned in
class. It helps to develop independent, responsible work and study habits and it aides the
growth of a closer relationship between home and school.
Students are responsible for maintaining a homework assignment book listing
16assignments and due dates. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments
carefully and accurately and to turn them in by the due date. The following are
approximate time allocations:
● Kindergarten 15 minutes per day
● Grades 1 – 3 30 minutes per day
● Grades 4 – 6 45 minutes per day
● Grades 7 – 8 90 minutes per day
If a student misses an assignment due to absence, it is the responsibility, upon his/her
return, to find out what is missed and to complete the work.
IMMUNIZATION
The State of Illinois requires that all students entering Kindergarten, sixth grade, High
School and those students, regardless of grade, who are new to a school, provide a
completed physical examination including proof of updated immunizations. Vision
exams are required for students entering Kindergarten or new to a school. Dental
examinations are required for students entering Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade. These
forms must be completed and returned on the first day of school. Please take care of
this parental obligation so your child will not be excluded from school. According to
State Law, all students should be sent home by the 15thof Octoberif the physical
examination and immunization are not on file and up-to-date in the school office.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When severe weather creates hazardous conditions, the regular school schedule may be
suspended to ensure students’ safety. We ask that you monitor news reports via
television and radio stations.
LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER
All materials in the Library/Media Center are provided for the benefit and use of the
students as stipulated by the following library policy:
Printed materials may be withdrawn from the library for periods of time set at the
discretion of the librarian. All materials are to be returned promptly. Students who
do not return books on time will not be allowed to withdraw books until overdue
books are returned. This is a courtesy to other students awaiting their use and also
serves as an avenue of teaching responsibility to the students. The students must
pay for damaged and lost books.
17MEDICATION
Ordinarily, school personnel will not dispense medication to students. The
administration of medication is discouraged during school hours unless it is absolutely
necessary. If a physician requires a child to take medication during school hours, the
parent must submit the proper documentation to the school nurse and must make
arrangements with the principal.
NEWSLETTER
In an effort to keep the lines of communication open between school and home, a school
newsletter containing important information will be sent home with the students on the
first of the month, or as close to that date as possible. Please, take time to read this each
month, as this is the most up-to-date information regarding school news and events. You
can also view this information on the school’s website.
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Parent Advisory Committee exists to enhance home/school communication and to
provide enrichment and support for school programs. All Durkin Park School families
are encouraged to be active members of the Parent Advisory Committee. Information
about the Parent Advisory Committee meetings will be sent regularly.
BILINGUAL PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The BAC is recognized as a standing committee of the Local School Council (LSC).
As a standing committee, the BAC reports to the LSC regarding bilingual education
issues, updates, and concerns in the school. Elections are held annually for the
following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Representative, and
Alternate Representative.
Candidates must be parents/legal guardians of a student and cannot be a CPS employee,
parent mentor, or receive a stipend. The majority (3 of 5) officers elected, including the
President, must be a parent/ legal guardian of a student active in a bilingual program.
(Source, Bilingual Advisory Committee Hand Book SY 2020-21, CPS)
18PARENTAL CONCERNS (Guidelines)
A parent/guardian who has a question or concern regarding a situation involving his/her
child is urged to follow these guidelines:
● Contact the student’s teacher to discuss the concern and work with the teacher to
arrive at possible solutions. Appointments with the teacher will be made by
writing a note requesting a conference or by calling the school office to make an
appointment.
● If the concern cannot be resolved with the teacher, the parent/guardian should
then request a conference with an administrator. After discussing the situation
with both parties, the administrator will act as a facilitator in making every effort
to resolve the issue.
Every effort should be made to resolve questions, concerns, and problems as soon as
possible.
PATROL
The School Safety Patrol is made up of sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys and girls.
These students are stationed at strategic corners adjacent to the school property. Students
on patrol duty must always wear a patrol belt and be courteous and helpful. Since these
students give some of their time for this duty, all other students are expected to obey the
patrol members and to treat them with respect. Parents are responsible for the safety of
their children traveling to and from school. The purpose of the patrol is to assist, where
possible, in the safe conduct of students to and from school. However, by providing this
service, Durkin Park Elementary School and Chicago Public Schools accept no liability
for the safety of the students. There may be a time, due to circumstances beyond the
control of the school, when a student patrol person is not on duty at a crossing
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
Personal and social development involves the mastery of many discipline skills.
Discipline is not innate; it involves the learning of personal and social competency.
Some of the essential skills to be developed are indicated here. Parents are asked to help
their children master these skills.
Between Kindergarten and Grade 2, Durkin Park students will learn to:
● Share things
● Listen attentively
19● Practice self-control
● Work neatly and carefully
● Finish assignments on time
● Practice basic rules of courtesy
● Express ideas in group activities
● Work independently and interdependently
● Ask questions when something is not understood
● Demonstrate respect for authority, other students and property
● Recognize dangerous situations, physically and verbally resist such situations and
report such incidents to parents, principal or teachers
Between Grade 3 and Grade 6, Durkin Park students will:
● Continue to develop all of the above skills
● Develop leadership skills
● Work cooperatively with others
● Understand and explain reasons for rules
● Use the essentials of good communication
● Care for themselves and their environment
● Select and develop procedures for accomplishing a task
● Make appropriate choices
● Know how to say “NO” to peer pressure
Between Grade 7 and Grade 8, Durkin Park students:
● Continue development of all the above skills
● Be self-directing
● Distinguish fact from feelings
● Set own schedules and time limits
● Work with others to resolve problems
● Demonstrate leadership skills
If a child’s behavior or social interactions are problematic, there is usually an underlying
cause. Such problems will often affect the student’s ability to learn and the teacher’s
ability to teach. It may also affect the entire learning environment of the classroom. It is
then the duty of the home and school to intervene and to arrive at the cause and seek a
solution. Please be in touch with your child’s teacher if such issues arise.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
20On a student’s P.E. day, he/she is required to wear the official school P.E. uniform. The
P.E. uniform will be the following: white or gray Durkin Park t-shirt or purple Durkin
Park sweatshirt (for colder weather), black Durkin Park athletic pants and/or purple
Durkin Park shorts with white lettering. Gym shorts may be worn to school until October
15th and again beginning May 1st. After October 15 th, shorts must be worn under the
sweatpants if students wish to wear shorts to P.E. class. The uniforms can be purchased
in the office. A uniform referral slip will be given to any student not in uniform.
PICTURE/PHOTOGRAPHY
Durkin Park adheres to the CPS Policy on photographing students. A consent form
allowing your child to have his/her picture taken or be a part of a video done for school
will be sent home the first week of school. It must be signed and returned in order for
your child to have his/her likeness copied.
PROGRESS REPORTS/REPORT CARDS
Report Cards will be issued at the end of each quarter and Progress Reports are sent home
the fifth week of each quarter. This is a means of informing the parents/guardians of the
student’s progress in each subject. These reports should be expected on the following
dates and returned to the teacher within two (2) days:
Progress Reports Report Cards
October 1, 2021 November 17, 2021*
December 17, 2021 February 18, 2021
March 4, 2021 April 20, 2022*
May 13, 2021 June 14, 2022
* Are designated as report card pick-up days (Parent/Teacher Conference). If a
conference is needed for any other time, please call the school office for an
appointment.
GRADING SCALE:
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 & Below
21RECOMMENDATIONS
Requests for recommendations from teachers and administration must be submitted in
writing and a one week allowance must be given for completion.
RETENTION
We follow the Promotion Policy adopted by Chicago Public Schools.
https://www.cps.edu/globalassets/cps-pages/academics/getting-to-the-next-grade/20-21
_3-6-8-gd.-guide-promotion-policy-english_07.27.20.pdf
SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAM
Meal Program applications will be sent home at the beginning of the school year. You
will be notified of CPS Guidelines. Breakfast is available for all students at no charge.
SCHOOL SECURITY
All parents, volunteers, and visitors should use the main entrance, which is door 1, stop at
the security desk and sign in and then report to the office to secure a visitor’s pass. When
leaving the building, the visitor must sign out and return the pass. For our children’s
safety, it is important to know who is in the building at all times. School doors remain
locked during school hours and a security system will admit visitors only through the
main front doors. Students are not allowed to open the door for visitors.
SCHOOL VISITATION
Parents are welcome to visit classrooms when appropriate arrangements have been made.
It is sincerely believed visits to the classroom help foster understanding and encourage
good home-school communication. Parents who are interested in observing the learning
activities of their children are asked to notify the school office prior to the visit.
SEARCH AND SEIZURE
School personnel are charged with protecting the health and safety of all students.
Fulfillment of these duties may conflict with a student’s right to and need for privacy.
The interest of individual students in securing personal privacy must be balanced against
22the interest of society in protecting students against disruptive or illegal conduct.
While lockers, desks, and other storage areas are provided to students by the school, the
school retains control and access to all lockers, desks, and other storage areas. These
areas are assigned to students for their use on the condition that they will be used in a
manner consistent with the law and school rules. School personnel may conduct
inspections of these areas at any time, with or without the students present, in order to
fulfill the school’s responsibility of maintaining proper safety, control, and management
of the school.
All property of the school, including students’ desks and lockers, as well as their contents
may be searched or inspected at any time without notice. Authorized school personnel
have unrestricted right to search these structures as well as any containers, book bags,
purses or articles of clothing that are left unattended on school property.
The search of a student’s person or personal property currently being carried is
permissible when there is any suspicion that the student may be carrying contraband.
Contraband, for purposes here, shall be defined as any weapon, illegal drug
paraphernalia, or other item, the possession of which is prohibited by law or by
school policy.
SERVICE
Service to others is one way children learn to become responsible and caring community
members. Each classroom participates in service projects during the year, either as a
class or in conjunction with all-school projects.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Students in grades third through eighth are assessed in Reading and Math on the
Renaissance Star360 exam. Students in grades Kindergarten through second are
administered the TRC, DIBELS/IDEL and mCLASS Math assessments. These
achievement tests are important indicators of a student’s progress in basic mastery of
grade level skills.
The teachers use the results of these tests in their instructional planning. Tests indicate
academic strengths and are good measures of academic growth.
Parents are cautioned, however, to understand that test results are only one indication of
the child’s learning potential. These results must be placed in the context of the child’s
day-to-day output in the classroom.
23STUDENT FEES
Student fees for the 2021-2022 school year are $30 dollars for one student, $45 dollars
for two students and $60 dollars for three or more students as approved by the Local
School Council. All fees go back to provide student services and defray student costs.
The student fee is essential to help support the daily operation of the school. It is
important for school families to understand the need to pay the student activity fee.
Failure to pay school fees by October 15, 2021 will result in the following restrictions
taking affect:
1. No printing in the computer lab
2. Higher fees for buses on field trips
3. Inability to participate in extracurricular activities
4. School reserves the right to charge a late fee of up to 15%.
STUDENT ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL
If a child becomes ill or suffers an injury during the school day, parents will be called. It
is necessary to have all available emergency information on file in case no one can be
contacted at home. In a serious emergency, if parents, guardians or emergency contacts
cannot be reached, 911 will be called to assist. Children frequently come to school not
feeling well and arrangements have to be made for them to go home. If a child is sick in
the morning, the school expects the student to remain home for the day.
TECHNOLOGY
Durkin Park School provides technology resources to its students and staff for
educational and administrative purposes. The goal in providing these resources is to
promote educational excellence in our school by facilitating resource sharing, innovation
and communication with the support and supervision of parents, teachers, and support
staff. The use of these technology resources is a privilege, not a right.
With access to computers and people all over the world comes the potential availability
of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in context of the school
setting. Durkin Park School firmly believes that the value of information, interaction,
and research capabilities available outweighs the possibility that users may obtain
material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school.
Proper behavior, as it relates to the use of computers, is no different than proper behavior
in all other aspects of school activities. All users are expected to use the computers and
24computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner. Parents/guardians will be
expected to read, sign, return and adhere to the Durkin Park School Internet Acceptable
Use Policy and Chicago Public Schools Uniform Discipline Code.
TELEPHONE USE
The school telephone is installed for official business. Students may use the school
phone only in an emergency, and only with the permission of the teacher AND office
personnel. Teachers and students are only called to the phone during class periods in the
event of an emergency. Otherwise, the secretary will take a message and deliver it to the
proper person. The school office will handle emergency calls.
TEXTBOOKS
School books will be issued to students at the beginning of the school year. The books
are the property of the school and must be returned in the same condition they were
issued. Care of schoolbooks and property is to be exercised at all times. If any book is
lost, damaged or defaced, the students must pay the cost of the new textbook. Fees for
damaged books will be prorated based on the age of the text.
UNIFORMS
Part of a student’s growth process is learning to dress appropriately; therefore, cleanliness
and proper grooming are expected of each student. The complete uniform is to be worn to
school by all students in Grades 1-8. It is recommended that Kindergarten students also
wear the school uniform. Students not in uniform will be issued a uniform referral slip.
The school uniform consists of a white or light blue shirt or blouse, navy blue trousers,
slacks, or skirts (no jeans) and appropriate footwear. Students will only be allowed to
wear shorts and t-shirts on gym day. Students may not wear hooded sweatshirts, hats,
headgear or clothing emblazoned with insignia of any kind other than the school’s name.
Throughout the school year, students have opportunities to come to school in
non-uniform clothing. On these days if a student chooses not to participate, he/she will
be required to wear the school uniform. Tank tops, midriff tops, inappropriate t-shirts
and mini skirts are not permitted.
UNIFORM POLICY GRADES 1-8
25● Shirts – Plain Light Blue or White blouse of uniform polo shirt with a collar
(NO LOGOS). Shirts must be long enough to be tucked in.
● Slacks– Dark Blue uniform pants (No skirts or skorts)
● Sweaters– Plain (i.e. no logos such as North Face or hoods) Navy Blue or White
or Durkin Park School sweater.
● Gym Days Only– Durkin Park T-Shirt (or other school program related t-shirt)
and athletic pants or shorts (or other school issued gear)
● All clothing must fit APPROPRIATELY – No mid-riff, tight, low-cut,
see-through or oversized clothing.
Not Permitted (A Detention Referral WILL BE ISSUED)
● Fitted jeans or ‘jean-like’ material such as jeggings.
● Shirts that are transparent or show cleavage.
● Low rise pants, skirts or skorts.
● Chains, jewelry, decorative belts around the waist
● Excessive Make-up/Visible tattoos
● Rubber bands or other accessories at wrists or ankles/Rubber wristbands with
logos
● Large hoops or oversized earrings
● Hats or hoods worn in the building (boys and girls), except when noted on special
event days.
VACATION
Parents occasionally wish to take their children out of school for several days because of
family matters. Durkin Park School encourages families to limit the time students miss
school due to family vacations. Families are encouraged to plan such vacations when
school is not in session. The CPS calendar has been provided with the student
non-attendance dates. Although students make up work, valuable teacher/student
instructional time can never be made up. Students are encouraged to review material as
well as read ahead in their school subject. Procedures and time limits for making up
work after the student returns to school will be determined by the teacher. The teacher
should not be expected to prepare assignments for the student prior to the vacation.
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